HCFM: Haiti Aid

I have mixed feelings about band-wagons. My natural inclination is to buck the trend, beat my own path. Notable exceptions: dance parties, blogging, good causes.

So now let me blog about a dance party for a good cause. (Sometimes corny is good, amirite?)

Tomorrow night, the Mezz will be hosting a keraaaazy night chockfull of local DJs. All proceeds at the door go to Red Cross (a totally legit and not shifty organization devoted to helping people. Right now those people are Haitian and they really need it.) So go and bring all your friends! Shake a leg! Have fun! Expect a lot of this!:

Tuesday Choose Day

Take your pick:

Got to check out this amazing way to help Haiti. Just discovered this sweet site as well.

Pictures from this past weekend's jager-worthy show at BoTH, Birds & Batteries and the delectable OONA opening for Swedish quirksters Movits!

Video for aforementioned Swedish quirksters:

Uploaded a few more pieces to etsy for your viewing pleasure.

TONIGHT: Free Comedy at the Layover in Oakland. Show starts at 8:30, for more info click here.

HCFM: Birds & Batteries

Birds & Batteries was one of those huge local indie bands that I slept on until it was way too late. Now the world (i.e. the Bay) is abuzz with love for the experimental rockers and I'm late to the party.

Thankfully, Saturday presents a grand opportunity to right my wrongs. Birds & Batteries will be at Bottom of the Hill with promising supporters OONA and Movitz. I'm hoping to hear my favorite tracks from B&Bs recent Up To No Good EP ('the Villian' and 'Sneaky Times') so I can soak up their indie-electro-spy-pop vibe and maybe hit the town in a trench coat and a wide brimmed hat, Carmen Sandiego status.



Show at 10 pm, $10, 21+.

Coachella Line Up Announced!

Hump Day Inspiration: Oakland Green Youth Arts & Media Center

Last week I had the chance to check out the grand opening for the recent addition to the neighborhood, the Green Youth Arts & Media Center. A community garden peeks out from the back and freshly painted walls hung with records and art await inside. The place is home to a muralist collective, offers programs like music and video production, and is sponsored by the Black Eyed Peas' Peaod Foundation among others. I'm really stoked to have this amazing new neighbor! If you'd like to help them out, they're still on the lookout for things like art supplies and old equipment. Below is the video showing the 8 day mural process, pretty neat:

Monday Morning Leftovers

Nothin' like a night of live and local awesome at your friendly neighborhood El Rio.

HCFM: Hockey

Strokes-style-shouting vocals! Synthy back-beat! Canadian sports references! Boys! (sorry, dudes). But my point is, what's not to love about Hockey? The guys have played festivals all over Europe and now they're coming to one of our favorite venues!


Too Fake Music Video

hockey | MySpace Music Videos

The Portland based synth-rock quartet will be at Bottom of the Hill tonight and word on the street is they need someone to man the merch table in exchange for free access to the show. Asa Ransom and Fake Your Own Death will be opening. Show at 9, tickets $12, 18+.

Hump Day Inspiration: Old School Radio

I've had the chance to listen to more and more radio around the house and I'd just like to give a big "good job!" to local stations like newbie The Band (103.7) -which has given me a new understanding of classic rock... and yes even U2... and the obscurely marvelous KALX (90.7).

I've been a little uninspired by my music library lately and it's been radio to the rescue, thanks guys!
(ps- one shown above for sale here!)

Monday Morning Leftovers

I'm calling it a late morning- after checking out the sights and sounds at WE there was Korean fried chicken and then drinks at Kim's Backyard- oy. Today, the sun is shining and all I can think about is finally taking the reigns on our own backyard... the first time I've had an outdoor space to take responsibility for. Things are finally feeling cozy at Granny's- new paint in the living room, plumbing issues solved, curtains hung- now it's time to move it outside!

Another reason why the Bay Area rocks: croquet in January. I've discovered that I kick ass at this gentlewomanly sport ;)

HCFM: Kimya Dawson

Kimya Dawson seems to be either loved or hated- her sweet childish vocals combined with off-kilter lyrics can be somewhat disconcerting at times, but this is what made her a perfect fit for the award winning film Juno's amazing soundtrack. I feel like I've listened to "Tire Swing" about a million times and can never get tired of it. She's playing tomorrow afternoon at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, so make it a cozy one. Along with having recorded six solo discs and two LPs with the Moldy Peaches, she'll also be playing stuff from her new smutty kids album Alphabutt ( for only the coolest babies, and parents).

Check out this little video for "Lullabye of the Taken" -also, if you're reading this in an email subscription then please come to the site and enjoy :)

New Examiner Article

Just wrote a little something about the Amish Quilt exhibit at the de Young, you can check it out here! Thanks for reading, guys :)

More WE Goodness

Figured I should finally get on posting the leftovers from the WE craft show so spent most of yesterday playing on etsy. The feather and glass pieces are all good to go, and I'll most likely be adding a few little 5x7 watercolor/pen and ink prints as well soon. phew!

Speaking of the WE Artspace (again)- I just got a great heads up about a new show opening this Sunday called Memories of Oakland. What better way to embrace a new year than by honoring those past? Local musician and artist, Winston Goertz-Giffen, has created an art book with an accompanying cd compilation of artists and musicians that he has come to work with over the years as a resident of the city of Oakland. The gallery will be filled with the original artwork of the artists that the book has come to consist of, and local bands like BAB-loved Trainwreck Riders and The Aimless Never Miss will provide some quality aural pleasure.

Man, seems like 2010 is off to a running start! Sunday's festivities will be held from 5-9 pm, be sure not to miss out...

Good Morning, 2010

Cheers to a wonderful New Year's Eve- it was our good friend Laura's birthday so we hosted a giant make-your-own pizza party in her honor at Granny's. Everyone brought tons of delicious toppings, and while Laura was opening some wine the whole crowd randomly burst into the birthday song, definitely a cool moment.

New Year's Day was all about recovery- cleaning, watching movies, and staying in my pj's until January 2nd. Viewing pleasures included Time Bandits, an 80s movie starring a little boy and a bunch of awesome dwarves, and the touchingly funny Away We Go- whose soundtrack is very likely to be mine soon.

The topic of resolutions has been floating around as of late, as it tends to do this time of year, and I've mostly been thinking in really general terms as a way for greater potential success. Live healthier, continue having first experiences, and practice the art of patience- I think these are going to be my 'goals' of 2010 and well into the future.

As for dancing more, I'm right there with ya Megs! Cheers to another year of laughing, crying, playing, and working together :)